The effect of systematic error on the accuracy of Michaelis constants and maximum velocities estimated by using the integrated Michaelis-Menten equation.

Systematic errors in initial substrate concentration (s(0)), product concentration and reaction time give much larger errors in the Michaelis-Menten parameters unless s(0) is treated as an unknown parameter. These errors are difficult to detect because the fitted curve deviates little from the data. The effect of non-enzymic reaction is also examined.